A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Observer has revealed that 83 of the Apple tablets have been bought by the council in the last two years.

In total, £29,628.47 has been spent on the devices for councillors and officers, an average of around £360 per device.

The iPads have been issued to all elected members and a further 61 council managers, with 29 purchased in the current financial year and 54 bought in the financial year 2012/13.

The council has said the tablets allow members and staff to work more efficiently, and also allow printing and computing costs to be cut.

Head of assets and support John Risk said the iPads had allowed people to work more flexibly.

“iPads were issued to all 22 councillors in May 2012 and have helped to create a more efficient and flexible way of working,” he said. “Councillors can communicate by email while on the move between locations; they can access documents electronically in meetings and don’t need printed agendas; and they do not each need a PC in the office.

“Similar efficiencies apply to council officers and in the move to smaller offices, where more flexible working has been encouraged and there is no longer a desk and PC for each employee.”

With the council having to save £29m over the next five years, a consultation is being carried out on budget proposals which include potentially reducing the amount of committee reports printed and postage costs cut.

Clackmannanshire Council said 18 councilllors and 26 members have council-purchased iPads.

?Is the council right during a period of austerity to spend £30,000 on iPads.